Government of Canada Assists Nunavut With 2008 Flood Costs

IQALUIT, NUNAVUT--(Marketwire - July 8, 2009) - The Honourable Peter Van Loan, Minister of Public Safety, was joined by Nunavut's Premier Eva Aariak and the Honourable Leona Aglukkaq, Minister of Health, Minister responsible for the Territories, M.P. for Nunavut, to announce that the Government of Canada will cost share eligible territorial expenditures incurred by Nunavut through the Disaster Financial Assistance Arrangements (DFAA) for flood damage caused by snowmelt and heavy rains in June 2008.

"This Government is committed to helping Canadian communities when natural disasters strike," said Minister Van Loan. "I commend Nunavummiut in the affected community for rising to the challenges posed by last year's flash flood, which placed a significant burden on the local economy. Today's announcement clearly demonstrates that our federal Government is here to assist our provinces and territories in times of need."

"This was a difficult time for residents in the affected community," said Premier Aariak. "The Nunavut Government acknowledges the resilience of the Pangnirtung residents and has been working to ensure that community services and affected public infrastructure are fully restored."

"Our Government has been working closely with Nunavut officials following this flood," said Minister Aglukkaq. "All Canadians can be assured that the Government of Canada stands ready to assist whenever disasters strike their communities."

Over a twelve-hour period on June 8 and 9, 2008, accelerated snowmelt and heavy rains caused flooding in the community of Pangnirtung. This resulted in the erosion of the permafrost which supported the bridge abutments on the Duval River. Damages to public infrastructure included two bridges and bridge access roads, which disrupted essential water services to residents.

"I would like to thank the federal government for recognizing the emergency situation we faced in the community of Pangnirtung when we lost the bridges in June of 2008. This is an important step in helping us recover the emergency expenditures that were required to address the loss of this critical piece of community infrastructure," said Minister Lorne Kusugak, Minister of Community and Government Services and Minister of Energy.